Dogma has slacker theology

Dogma is not a great film, or even a good one, by any stretch of the imagination — the humor is largely derivative and the dialogue is both repetitive and didactic — but beneath its many vulgarities, it offers an interesting peek into the theology of its writer and director, a churchgoing Catholic slacker named Kevin Smith.

The story kicks off with a cardinal announcing at a press conference that the church, in a bid for cultural relevance, has ditched the crucifix — too upsetting, he says — in favor of a smiling “buddy Jesus.” Is Smith satirizing modern churches that water down or trivialize the gospel? Or, in creating angels, apostles and prophets who cuss and smoke pot, is he indulging in the same? The answer, I think, is a bit of both.

Definitely not for most people, but it’s bound to be a frequent topic of conversation for college-age Christians — and non-Christians — for months, even years, to come.